The President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr. Yomi Otubela, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to shift from its current once-a-year examination schedule to a quarterly model, in a bid to ease the academic pressure on students seeking university admission.
Otubela made the call while speaking on TVC News’ current affairs programme, Beyond the Headlines, where he stressed that the existing structure no longer aligns with the realities of modern education.
According to him, limiting candidates to just one opportunity per year to secure admission into tertiary institutions is outdated and detrimental to students’ academic momentum. He advocated for at least three JAMB sittings annually to provide students with greater flexibility and reduce the emotional toll associated with the high-stakes, once-a-year system.
“We need to overhaul the system we’ve operated for over a decade. The pressure students face when writing JAMB is enormous. Multiple sittings will not only create more chances but will also reduce anxiety and enhance performance,” he said.
The NAPPS boss noted that the stress attached to the current structure contributes significantly to the waning academic interest among secondary school students. He observed that many students struggle to stay focused, and this, he feared, could negatively affect their performance in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“It has become increasingly difficult to regain students’ attention in the classroom. We pray this disengagement doesn’t reflect poorly in their WAEC results,” Otubela added.
He therefore appealed to policymakers, examination bodies, and other stakeholders in the education sector to support reforms that would make the assessment process more inclusive, student-friendly, and aligned with global best practices.
